<p><strong>Independence Day <a href="http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/history-independence-day/">got its start in Philadelphia in 1777</a>. The city recognized the one-year anniversary of Congress's formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence by lighting bonfires, ringing bells, and setting off fireworks on July 4. In later years, other cities followed suit.</strong></p><p dir="ltr">Since then, communities across the United States have celebrated America's independence in their own distinct ways. Washington, D.C., marked July 4, 1919, with a Festival of Peace that came shortly after the <a href="http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005425">signing of the Treaty of Versailles</a>, which formally ended World War I.</p><p>The celebration featured music and parades, and it drew people representing dozens of nations from around the world. A National Geographic Society float, above, was part of the festivities.</p><p><em>—Jane J. Lee</em></p>